Pro-Putin Hardliner Party Leader Interview with TASS
Criticizes: "Zelensky Cannot Guarantee Peace"
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine (left), and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
Three years and six months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, discussions involving the leaders of both countries to end the war are being pursued. However, pro-Putin hardliners in Russia continue to insist on the ousting of the "Zelensky regime" and maintain an anti-European stance.
Sergey Mironov, leader of the "A Just Russia - For Truth" party, said in an interview with the state-run TASS news agency on the 19th (local time), "The Zelensky regime cannot guarantee peace in Ukraine and serves the interests of neither Russia nor Europe and the United States." He added, "Trump is aware of this, but Europe is under the illusion that it can win the war against Russia through a proxy conflict," criticizing the European approach.
He also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for turning the White House talks into a "show," but stated, "The core points have become clear: there will be no NATO membership for Ukraine, no ceasefire, and Europe has been excluded from the negotiation process. Only Putin, Trump, and Zelensky are involved." This highlights the "big deal" structure desired by Russia, which notably excludes Europe.
Mironov described this as "a major blow to Europe," adding, "They tried to appease Trump while simultaneously arguing with him, but it was a miserable spectacle. Zelensky, who is willing to endure any humiliation to stay in power, was no different," reiterating his criticism.
He also emphasized that there is no guarantee the peace agreement process between the two countries, mediated by President Trump, will be completed smoothly. Mironov stated, "We remember the lessons of 2022 well, and we still see Europe's anti-Russian sentiment as aggressive," adding, "The Anchorage agreement may remain nothing more than a 'promise of goodwill,' and we will have to continue fighting for peace."
French President Emmanuel Macron stated at the White House talks that there was no discussion about ceding Ukrainian territory. According to AFP and other foreign media, President Macron, when asked by reporters after the meeting whether President Trump had said 'Ukraine's territorial security is needed before U.S. security guarantees,' replied, "No. That was not discussed at all. We are quite far from that issue." He also said that President Trump and European leaders agreed on the need for a "strong Ukrainian military capable of resisting any attempted attack," adding, "There will be no restrictions on the number or capability of (Ukrainian) weapons."
Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian president, stated that during a roughly 40-minute call between President Putin and President Trump, both agreed on the need for continued direct negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. He added that they are also considering raising the level of the delegations to discuss sensitive issues such as territorial matters.
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